The 2018 'Cases' Somerset Rebels will be having an earlier start than originally anticipated, having accepted an invitation from the Leicester Lions for a challenge match on Monday 26th March (7.30pm)

The added fixture gives the Rebels the opportunity to get some extra race time together before their opening home meeting of the season on Good Friday, and comes 48 hours before the Rebels' Press and Practice Day.

Accepting Leicester's invite, Somerset promoter Debbie Hancock admits "It is always good for teams to take in as much track time as possible and this challenge meeting has the added attraction of our world champion, Jason Doyle, returning to one of his former clubs, so we were happy to accept the invitation"

The presence of the world champion at Beaumont Park, the home of the Watling JCB Lions, should encourage a big turn- out, for Doyle was their number one in both 2014 and 2015, joining them from Somerset when his visa restrictions permitted him to ride for one club only.

The Lions are headed by one of Doyle's GP rivals, Slovakian Martin Vaculik and they have also drafted in former GP rider Hans Andersen to join 2016 British Champion Danny King in a solid looking team that includes former Rebel Kyle Newman.